Cakes & Desserts Wedding Ideas

Concept by: Victoria Hudgins
Photos by Erin Holland
Add a dash of confetti to your party in the form of a chandelier! This looks fabulous hung in multiples on top of a dessert bar, or hung individually as centerpieces.
In fact, you can turn your confetti chandelier into a 'cake topper,' who says that a 'topper' has to be placed directly on top of the cake?
Cut out one inch confetti rounds from colored paper. We used about 120 rounds for this installation. I would suggest using a monotone color scheme or 4-5 coordinating colors on each hoop.
Thread the confetti dots together. Begin at the top, leaving enough thread to attach the string to an embroidery hoop. Have your hot glue gun ready and place a tiny drop of glue on the bottom of each dot to hold it in place.
Using an embroidery hoop, tie four to six strings across the top in a criss cross pattern.
One at a time, tie the strands of confetti dots onto the hoop and string base. You can paint or adorn the hoop as needed to match your wedding décor.
Hang the installation above a cake or elsewhere; adjust the length of the strands for just the right balance.

Looking for a less traditional cake topper for your wedding? These vintage fabric stars will bring a dose of bright charm to your cake or dessert bar.
Materials:
To make them, you'll need basic star frame(s), mod podge, fabric, and scissors. Small cardboard star frames are available at your local craft store, while larger metal frames can be readily found at thrift stores or at many big box stores.
Materials (cont.):
Find a fabric that coordinates with your wedding day. Search Etsy for a wide variety of pretty vintage florals or check your local fabric store for vintage replica fabrics.
Step One:
Cut your fabric to the approximate size of your star and dredge it in a bowl of Modge Podge until completely wet. Place the fabric on top of your mold and use your fingers to gently shape it into form. Let dry overnight.
Step Two:
Once dry, cut the fabric closer to the frame shape and turn over. Secure any extra fabric in the back with glue.
Step Three:
Use wood glue to attach a stick to the backside of a large star frame. Many smaller frames come sold with small wooden sticks already attached.
Display Tip:
Place one large star in your cake for a bold bright touch or scatter smaller stars atop cakes, cupcakes and desserts.

Raspberry & Pear Mini Pies
A mouthwatering treat for any summer day (and especially perfect for a holiday)! We've got the recipe right here.
Photo By: Aran Goyoaga
Strawberry Season
Get decked out in strawberries with this simple and fresh, red and white summer table concept.
Photo By: Mary Swenson
Vintage Postcard Place Cards
This vintage-inspired project by Chelsea Fuss is an easy way to create a fun, casual place setting. See how she did it!
Photo By: Chelsea Fuss

Red, White, & Blue Real Wedding

Christina and Timothy pulled off a patriotic, 4th of July-themed wedding of total rustic elegance. See the photos from their day!

Photo By: Jen Lynne Photography

Purple DIY Picnic
Pack a picnic with all sorts of personalized touches... guests will swoon over the details!
Red & White Party Ideas
From red velvet cupcakes to ribbons to florals, here are a handful of creative ways to incorporate red into your party
Photo By: Mary Swenson
Farmer's Market Bouquets
Create a deceptively sophisticated bouquet for your big day with seasonal stems from your local farmer's market. See more inspiration.
Photo By: Chelsea Fuss
Cool Raspberry & Yogurt Mousse Cakes
These are a dream on a summer day... Catch this recipe (with a bonus raspberry n' cream macaron tutorial) right here.
Photo By: Aran Goyoaga

Project and Photos by Brittni Mehlhoff
Create inexpensive escort cards that are completely unique with this DIY idea that guests are sure to love. Why? It comes with a sweet treat, of course.
These numbered cupcake toppers will satisfy any guests sweet tooth and cleverly direct them to their reception table.
Materials:
Decorative Paper
Scissors
Craft Glue
Pen
Pencil
Fresh Flowers, such as Aster or Gerber Daisies
How To:
1. Draw or trace numbers onto decorative scraps of paper.
2. Cut out each number carefully with scissors.
3. Hand letter guests names, with a pen, onto each number. These numbers will represent what table your guests will be placed at for the reception.
4. Glue small flowers to each number and let dry.
Hang the finished escort cards from a bulletin board or rest each one on top of a cupcake for your guests to enjoy.
Optional: If the paper you're using is thin and/or flimsy, attach a small bamboo skewer or lollipop stick to the number before sticking it into the cupcake.

You'll need:
1. 3 cake pans (sizes: 11", 8", 4.5")
2. A cake stand (aprox "12 round)
3. A pound cake recipe
4. Buttercream frosting (4 cups)
5. 1 frosting knife
6. Flowers + herbs (make sure they are organic and edible!)
Bake your cakes the night before and let them cool overnight. Put together with toothpicks holding the layers.
Once you have placed your toothpicks, stack your cakes carefully!
Almost there...
Voila!
Measure layers to make sure that all the cakes are centered from all sides.
Frost with frosting knife -- get the knife wet to make it extra smooth.
Clean off edges of the cake stand. Keep refrigerated until right before serving.
Your cake is ready to decorate now!
Have fun adding edible herbs and flowers.
Herbs will hold up for a long time, but add the flowers last minute so add them that morning, securing them with frosting.
Using a pound cake recipe is your best bet because they do not crumble. Buttercream frosting can melt easily, keep your cake as cool as possible before serving!
Your gorgeous cake is ready!
The best part ... tasting the sweet creation.

Inspired by the sweet strawberry cakes that Swedes make during their Midsummer holiday each year, we came up with this festive wedding cake! It's perfect for an outdoor, rustic wedding. You can make the cake yourself, or simply embellish a store bought cake using our styling inspiration. It's easy and such a unique idea!

First you'll need a white dome cake. We used a citrus flavor dome cake filled with whip cream, from a small family bakery, and it was delicious. We just took off the doily and cardboard it came on and slid it onto a rustic wooden board. You could also make your own. Here are instructions on how to make a dome cake.

You will need around two pints of strawberries per cake.

Cut the stems off and slice the strawberries in half.

Lay the strawberries flat side down, all over the cake.

Keep the cake in the fridge until just before the reception.

Add edible wildflowers a few hours before your event. We used buckwheat, meadowsweet, and winter savory. The flavor of these flowers worked wonderfully with the citrus flavor of the cake!
We laid them all around the cake and sprinkled the petals and leaves on top of it. The more you add, the better it looks. Make sure the flowers you use are edible and have not been sprayed with pesticides!
More ideas for edible flowers:
pansies
violets
nasturtium
roses
calendula
Display your cake on a rustic farm table and decorate with flowers around the bottom of the cake like in slide one. Your guests will love digging into this summery treat!

Photos by i am baker
Amanda from i am baker shares her gorgeous rose cake secrets with us - which all starts with whatever type of cake you desire and lots of buttercream frosting.
Put your 1M tip (or any large open star tip) into the pastry bag then fill it up with buttercream frosting. Note: You will need lots of frosting for this one!
To make your rose, start in the center, then slowly move your tip in a circle around the center point. Amanda wanted a single rose to span the side of the cake so she looped around my center point twice. Try to end in the same place each time.
Have FUN with it! Those roses are so forgiving. But if you find that you really dislike how they are turning out, just scrape them off and start over!
Go all the way around the cake and complete with one last rose.
Put your cake in the fridge after you are done with decorating to help them set up and retain their shape.
This fancy rose cake has a vertical layer interior.
Amanda from i am baker actually made two separate cakes and assembled them into the vertical layer pattern.
Bellisimo!
Save a piece for us, please.

You will need a chocolate cake recipe, along with an equally delicious recipe for chocolate ganache which we found here.
Ingredients for this yummy cake typically include unsweetened cocoa, buttermilk, flour, sugar, vanilla extract and baking soda.
For the ganache topping, make sure you have plenty of whipping creme and semisweet chocolate chips.
Always mix your ingredients together well and let sit for a bit!

Bundt cake pans. Each of these will serve approx. 5 guests. We like these.

Tip: Make the cakes ahead of time and freeze them.

The day of, pour chocolate ganache over the cakes and lift them onto some china plates.

Are you a good baker? Then cut out the catering cost at your event and create your very own dessert table! With some jarred lemon curd, a quick swiss meringue and a torch, you can create lemon meringue tartlets in no time. Top them with some fresh blueberries and you have a dainty treat with a beautiful and natural color palette.

You can find pre-made pie or tart shells at just about any grocery store to save many steps. If you feel a bit uneasy about making meringue, use a packaged vanilla pudding mix to fill the shells, and top your tarts with some fresh fruit tossed in a simple syrup or apricot glaze.

Besides mini-pies, here's another idea: Fill your own tall and slender shot glasses with store-bought crushed chocolate graham crackers, vanilla pudding made from mix, freshly cut bananas, and some whipped cream. Drizzle some caramel sauce on top and sprinkle on a few dark chocolate shavings for an ultra chic version of banana cream pie.

For a more personal touch, roll out some sugar cookies topped with a monogram motif in pre-made royal icing tinted with drops of food coloring to match your wedding colors.

Get creative with lovely tulips or any other simple arrangement to accent your table.
Use fruit in season -- summertime tarts will make everyone really happy!
People tend to eat with their eyes, so elevate a plain brownie square with a little floret of espresso pastry cream, sprinkled with chopped almonds for a decadent take on mocha almond fudge.
Even if your wedding is on a budget, your guests will be impressed with these professional-looking (and tasty!) DIY dessert creations

Give your guests a treat and help them find a seat with this sweet and sparkly escort idea!
Thoughtful personalization, even as simple as this, is always a great way to make all your guests feel cherished and included.
Step One:
Pick out a few shades of baking glitter (available in the cake section of craft stores).
Step Two:
Place a simple alphabet letter template firmly on top of a macaron, then dust the baking glitter on.
Step Three:
Pull up slowly and use a Q-tip to gently dust off excess.
Step Four:
Place a simple seating card beneath the macarons for directional cues.
You can make the macaroons up to one week prior to the wedding. Lay flat and cover tightly to save. Set out immediately before the reception.

Concept by: Victoria Hudgins
Photos by Erin Holland
Add a dash of confetti to your party in the form of a chandelier! This looks fabulous hung in multiples on top of a dessert bar, or hung individually as centerpieces.
In fact, you can turn your confetti chandelier into a 'cake topper,' who says that a 'topper' has to be placed directly on top of the cake?
Cut out one inch confetti rounds from colored paper. We used about 120 rounds for this installation. I would suggest using a monotone color scheme or 4-5 coordinating colors on each hoop.
Thread the confetti dots together. Begin at the top, leaving enough thread to attach the string to an embroidery hoop. Have your hot glue gun ready and place a tiny drop of glue on the bottom of each dot to hold it in place.
Using an embroidery hoop, tie four to six strings across the top in a criss cross pattern.
One at a time, tie the strands of confetti dots onto the hoop and string base. You can paint or adorn the hoop as needed to match your wedding décor.
Hang the installation above a cake or elsewhere; adjust the length of the strands for just the right balance.

Looking for a less traditional cake topper for your wedding? These vintage fabric stars will bring a dose of bright charm to your cake or dessert bar.
Materials:
To make them, you'll need basic star frame(s), mod podge, fabric, and scissors. Small cardboard star frames are available at your local craft store, while larger metal frames can be readily found at thrift stores or at many big box stores.
Materials (cont.):
Find a fabric that coordinates with your wedding day. Search Etsy for a wide variety of pretty vintage florals or check your local fabric store for vintage replica fabrics.
Step One:
Cut your fabric to the approximate size of your star and dredge it in a bowl of Modge Podge until completely wet. Place the fabric on top of your mold and use your fingers to gently shape it into form. Let dry overnight.
Step Two:
Once dry, cut the fabric closer to the frame shape and turn over. Secure any extra fabric in the back with glue.
Step Three:
Use wood glue to attach a stick to the backside of a large star frame. Many smaller frames come sold with small wooden sticks already attached.
Display Tip:
Place one large star in your cake for a bold bright touch or scatter smaller stars atop cakes, cupcakes and desserts.

Raspberry & Pear Mini Pies
A mouthwatering treat for any summer day (and especially perfect for a holiday)! We've got the recipe right here.
Photo By: Aran Goyoaga
Strawberry Season
Get decked out in strawberries with this simple and fresh, red and white summer table concept.
Photo By: Mary Swenson
Vintage Postcard Place Cards
This vintage-inspired project by Chelsea Fuss is an easy way to create a fun, casual place setting. See how she did it!
Photo By: Chelsea Fuss

Red, White, & Blue Real Wedding

Christina and Timothy pulled off a patriotic, 4th of July-themed wedding of total rustic elegance. See the photos from their day!

Photo By: Jen Lynne Photography

Purple DIY Picnic
Pack a picnic with all sorts of personalized touches... guests will swoon over the details!
Red & White Party Ideas
From red velvet cupcakes to ribbons to florals, here are a handful of creative ways to incorporate red into your party
Photo By: Mary Swenson
Farmer's Market Bouquets
Create a deceptively sophisticated bouquet for your big day with seasonal stems from your local farmer's market. See more inspiration.
Photo By: Chelsea Fuss
Cool Raspberry & Yogurt Mousse Cakes
These are a dream on a summer day... Catch this recipe (with a bonus raspberry n' cream macaron tutorial) right here.
Photo By: Aran Goyoaga

Project and Photos by Brittni Mehlhoff
Create inexpensive escort cards that are completely unique with this DIY idea that guests are sure to love. Why? It comes with a sweet treat, of course.
These numbered cupcake toppers will satisfy any guests sweet tooth and cleverly direct them to their reception table.
Materials:
Decorative Paper
Scissors
Craft Glue
Pen
Pencil
Fresh Flowers, such as Aster or Gerber Daisies
How To:
1. Draw or trace numbers onto decorative scraps of paper.
2. Cut out each number carefully with scissors.
3. Hand letter guests names, with a pen, onto each number. These numbers will represent what table your guests will be placed at for the reception.
4. Glue small flowers to each number and let dry.
Hang the finished escort cards from a bulletin board or rest each one on top of a cupcake for your guests to enjoy.
Optional: If the paper you're using is thin and/or flimsy, attach a small bamboo skewer or lollipop stick to the number before sticking it into the cupcake.

You'll need:
1. 3 cake pans (sizes: 11", 8", 4.5")
2. A cake stand (aprox "12 round)
3. A pound cake recipe
4. Buttercream frosting (4 cups)
5. 1 frosting knife
6. Flowers + herbs (make sure they are organic and edible!)
Bake your cakes the night before and let them cool overnight. Put together with toothpicks holding the layers.
Once you have placed your toothpicks, stack your cakes carefully!
Almost there...
Voila!
Measure layers to make sure that all the cakes are centered from all sides.
Frost with frosting knife -- get the knife wet to make it extra smooth.
Clean off edges of the cake stand. Keep refrigerated until right before serving.
Your cake is ready to decorate now!
Have fun adding edible herbs and flowers.
Herbs will hold up for a long time, but add the flowers last minute so add them that morning, securing them with frosting.
Using a pound cake recipe is your best bet because they do not crumble. Buttercream frosting can melt easily, keep your cake as cool as possible before serving!
Your gorgeous cake is ready!
The best part ... tasting the sweet creation.

Inspired by the sweet strawberry cakes that Swedes make during their Midsummer holiday each year, we came up with this festive wedding cake! It's perfect for an outdoor, rustic wedding. You can make the cake yourself, or simply embellish a store bought cake using our styling inspiration. It's easy and such a unique idea!

First you'll need a white dome cake. We used a citrus flavor dome cake filled with whip cream, from a small family bakery, and it was delicious. We just took off the doily and cardboard it came on and slid it onto a rustic wooden board. You could also make your own. Here are instructions on how to make a dome cake.

You will need around two pints of strawberries per cake.

Cut the stems off and slice the strawberries in half.

Lay the strawberries flat side down, all over the cake.

Keep the cake in the fridge until just before the reception.

Add edible wildflowers a few hours before your event. We used buckwheat, meadowsweet, and winter savory. The flavor of these flowers worked wonderfully with the citrus flavor of the cake!
We laid them all around the cake and sprinkled the petals and leaves on top of it. The more you add, the better it looks. Make sure the flowers you use are edible and have not been sprayed with pesticides!
More ideas for edible flowers:
pansies
violets
nasturtium
roses
calendula
Display your cake on a rustic farm table and decorate with flowers around the bottom of the cake like in slide one. Your guests will love digging into this summery treat!

Photos by i am baker
Amanda from i am baker shares her gorgeous rose cake secrets with us - which all starts with whatever type of cake you desire and lots of buttercream frosting.
Put your 1M tip (or any large open star tip) into the pastry bag then fill it up with buttercream frosting. Note: You will need lots of frosting for this one!
To make your rose, start in the center, then slowly move your tip in a circle around the center point. Amanda wanted a single rose to span the side of the cake so she looped around my center point twice. Try to end in the same place each time.
Have FUN with it! Those roses are so forgiving. But if you find that you really dislike how they are turning out, just scrape them off and start over!
Go all the way around the cake and complete with one last rose.
Put your cake in the fridge after you are done with decorating to help them set up and retain their shape.
This fancy rose cake has a vertical layer interior.
Amanda from i am baker actually made two separate cakes and assembled them into the vertical layer pattern.
Bellisimo!
Save a piece for us, please.

You will need a chocolate cake recipe, along with an equally delicious recipe for chocolate ganache which we found here.
Ingredients for this yummy cake typically include unsweetened cocoa, buttermilk, flour, sugar, vanilla extract and baking soda.
For the ganache topping, make sure you have plenty of whipping creme and semisweet chocolate chips.
Always mix your ingredients together well and let sit for a bit!

Bundt cake pans. Each of these will serve approx. 5 guests. We like these.

Tip: Make the cakes ahead of time and freeze them.

The day of, pour chocolate ganache over the cakes and lift them onto some china plates.

Are you a good baker? Then cut out the catering cost at your event and create your very own dessert table! With some jarred lemon curd, a quick swiss meringue and a torch, you can create lemon meringue tartlets in no time. Top them with some fresh blueberries and you have a dainty treat with a beautiful and natural color palette.

You can find pre-made pie or tart shells at just about any grocery store to save many steps. If you feel a bit uneasy about making meringue, use a packaged vanilla pudding mix to fill the shells, and top your tarts with some fresh fruit tossed in a simple syrup or apricot glaze.

Besides mini-pies, here's another idea: Fill your own tall and slender shot glasses with store-bought crushed chocolate graham crackers, vanilla pudding made from mix, freshly cut bananas, and some whipped cream. Drizzle some caramel sauce on top and sprinkle on a few dark chocolate shavings for an ultra chic version of banana cream pie.

For a more personal touch, roll out some sugar cookies topped with a monogram motif in pre-made royal icing tinted with drops of food coloring to match your wedding colors.

Get creative with lovely tulips or any other simple arrangement to accent your table.
Use fruit in season -- summertime tarts will make everyone really happy!
People tend to eat with their eyes, so elevate a plain brownie square with a little floret of espresso pastry cream, sprinkled with chopped almonds for a decadent take on mocha almond fudge.
Even if your wedding is on a budget, your guests will be impressed with these professional-looking (and tasty!) DIY dessert creations

Give your guests a treat and help them find a seat with this sweet and sparkly escort idea!
Thoughtful personalization, even as simple as this, is always a great way to make all your guests feel cherished and included.
Step One:
Pick out a few shades of baking glitter (available in the cake section of craft stores).
Step Two:
Place a simple alphabet letter template firmly on top of a macaron, then dust the baking glitter on.
Step Three:
Pull up slowly and use a Q-tip to gently dust off excess.
Step Four:
Place a simple seating card beneath the macarons for directional cues.
You can make the macaroons up to one week prior to the wedding. Lay flat and cover tightly to save. Set out immediately before the reception.

At Project Wedding we have thousands of photos to serve as inspiration for your wedding. Some of our many different photo galleries include the following:
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Planning Basics: Find the best place to register, find the best centerpiece for your color scheme, and find the perfect thank you gifts for your bridal party – all while staying under budget – with our wedding planning tips and ideas.

DIY Wedding: With so many colorful images of unique wedding ideas we’ve found, plus all our real wedding images, you’ll find the most DIY wedding ideas here. From simple wedding favors to more complex origami wedding decorations – if we think you can make it, you’ll find it here (if it’s not here it doesn’t mean we don’t think you can make it, it just means we want you to send us a picture when your DIY project is done)!

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Wedding Venues: Not only do we have ideas for one-of-a-kind wedding venues as well as established wedding venues in your area, we have some of the very best wedding decoration ideas and wedding theme ideas for once you have nailed down the venue.

Wedding Cake: While we must admit that wedding cake is delicious (mmmm, wedding cake, nom nom nom), your cake will also serve as a focal point of the wedding reception. Check out all of our wedding ideas for cake decorations as well as cake alternatives.

Engagement Rings: Project Wedding doesn’t just start once you’ve gotten engaged. Register with us before the big question has been popped and share photos of your favorite engagement rings with your future better half.